Do bosses lie to their employees to motivate them?

Question

First a background about myself. I have completed University in Computer Science. I am currently working blue collar labour jobs in a tourist town in the Canadian Rockies. I'm basically just relaxing for now, and have these jobs on the just to have a cash upkeep. I'm also working on side-projects of my own to add to my portfolio for when I start applying for jobs in my field.

Question: Do bosses lie to their employees about how hard they work? Do they do this to get them to work harder?

I have a feeling:

a) My boss is lying to me. (This is my gut feeling)

b) I'm just getting unlucky with my bosses/managers seeing me at my worst moments and never at any other time.

c) I'm in denial about being lazy. (This is what my brain is telling me)

I KNOW that I am too smart for these jobs. It's ridiculous. I do something to make an improvement, and I get a wave of the finger for it. I don't do anything and I get told I'm lazy. This is the 3rd job in the past 5 months where a manager as told me my co-workers all think I'm lazy and don't want to work with me, etc.

(I should mention that I quit my first job, and others I still currently have, one being part time.)

Now, I am a big guy. I am 6'4, 200lbs. I understand that I may be intimidating to most people. Yet, after my boss tells me all these people think I'm lazy, and refuses to give me certain names, I will just go around to EVERYONE and ask them if they see something in me that I don't... And I do so in a very open, understanding, and sincere matter... and yet no one ever confesses to telling the boss I'm lazy/they don't want to work with me/etc.

So what the h**l is going on here?

Is this a "strategy" to motivate workers?

I don't think I'm lazy. I think I worker harder than most, in fact.

Am I in denial or something!?!?! wTF!

Answer 1

Like the first answerer said.. "everyone lies" It is sad but true.

Either the boss lied or the fellow employees lied.

Are you in denial?

I think YOU are the one that has the answer to that. If this happens at every job you have to ask " what is the common denominator?"

If that is you then you need to acknowledge it and make a change for the better.

Good Luck,

and just a tidbit for you ... some guys think  Big guys are useless because of their size... maybe your boss thinks that way..

Answer 2

Your boss doesn't have to tell you who it is that is complaining, and your associates may not want to confess to your face (people suck that way). If you want to seem like a more dedicated worker, anytime you finish a project, go ask the boss for something else to do. Make a habit of never standing still. Then no one can call you lazy.

I too have worked pathetic jobs. it is the pits! Get out as soon as you can, it is not until you are being appreciated for your work that you will be happy.

Another thing you can try is to always be "happy to help," I'm sure you know the name of the game. It seems patronizing to do it, but if you sincerely act happy to complete your assigned task, that is another way to improve your situation.

good luck!

Answer 3

everyone lies.

Answer 4

Personally, I'm a very honest person who is also an employer. I can say that I never lie to my employees. I might not share every single thought with them but I never purposefully lie.

If this is the 3rd boss (unrelated to the first two) that has told you others think you're lazy, there's a good chance that it's you. I also would not point to any other employee who made a complaint. If you really want to turn yourself around, I would tell your employer that you are unaware of what you are doing that is lazy and ask if he/she can provide an example of what you're doing and how you can improve.